WALID REGRAGUI during his time at Wydad Athletic Club with Pitso Mosimane coaching Al Ahly. Regragui has been replaced as Morocco national team coach less that 100 days towards the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
Image: BackpagePix
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) announced on Friday morning that Mohamed Ouahbi has been appointed as the new head coach of the Moroccan national team, taking over the reins from Walid Regragui.
Regragui, a former Atlas Lions’ player himself, reportedly tendered his resignation after the team failed to win the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil early this year, following their defeat to Senegal in the final – a showdown that was full of controversy.
It took more than two months for the FRMF to accept Regragui’s decision to step down from his role, which was probably understandable. Besides their shortcoming on home soil, the 50-year-old had etched his name in the history books, becoming the first coach – and African born – to guide an African team to the semi-final of the Fifa World Cup in the last edition in Qatar.
Regragui leaves the jersey in a better place as the Atlas Lions are ranked No 1 on the continent by Fifa, and eighth in the world, respectively.
With Morocco set to return to the global showpiece in North America in winter, the FRMF is prioritising their hosting campaign in 2030, which is why they decided to start building four years before the tournament begins.
“These decisions are part of the “Morocco 2030” roadmap, whose objective is to sustainably raise performance standards and consolidate the momentum of Moroccan football’s progress at all levels,” the federation said in a statement.
Ouahbi is no stranger to the FRMF. He recently brought pride to both the federation and the nation, winning their maiden U20 World Cup title in Chile late last year. As such, given Ouahbi’s credentials, the federation believes they will focus on building for the future.
“By appointing Mohamed Ouahbi, the FRMF reaffirms a key principle: the sporting project continues to be led by Moroccan leadership,” the statement added.
“A respected technician from the national development pathway, Mohamed Ouahbi distinguished himself by leading Morocco’s U20 national team to the FIFA U20 World Cup title, demonstrating his ability to build a collective, develop players, and instill a culture of elite performance.
“The Moroccan football school thus reflects internationally a distinctive way of working – rigor, discipline, structure, and talent development – as well as continuity in ambition.”
In bolstering Ouahbi’s technical team “to accelerate this momentum and strengthen daily standards of excellence,” the federation also appointed João Sacramento as one of the assistant coaches.
“João Sacramento joins the technical staff following experience at the highest level, notably as assistant coach at Paris Saint-Germain, AS Roma, and Tottenham. He will bring a working methodology shaped by highly demanding environments, serving the team’s preparation and daily execution,” the statement concluded.
*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch